Refined exposure assessment for amaranth (E 123)

Following a self-tasking request, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a refined exposure assessment of amaranth (E 123) taking into account additional information on its use in foods. In 2010, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) adopted a scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of amaranth (E 123) used as a food additive. In that opinion, the Panel concluded that the anticipated dietary exposure of the adult population at the high level (97.5^th percentile) may exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for amaranth (E 123) of 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day. Following this conclusion, EFSA performed a refined exposure assessment for this food colour. New usage data from industry were submitted to EFSA. Further to this, missing usage data were requested from relevant stakeholders through a targeted call and new information and data were provided. With the use of the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, a refined exposure assessment was performed for amaranth (E 123). Dietary exposure for adults at the 95^th percentile (up to 55.7 µg/kg bw/day) is about 15 times lower than that in the previous exposure assessment carried out in 2010. Overall, the refined exposure estimates for children, as well as for adults and the elderly, remain below the ADI.